Great ideas for Summer Ops in the Alberta Rockies

The start of summer brings new guests to ski areas that often have different needs and expectations than our ski and snowboard patrons. Ski areas have responded and discovered new, often inexpensive, ways to provide experiences. Some of the following ideas were found on recent visits to the national park ski areas.

Lake Louise has combined gondola and chairlift carriers on the same ropeway for summer operations. This provides accessibility for all guests, and weatherproofs the experience.

Lake Louise has added building blocks, games, and chess and checkers on mats on the grassy areas between the lodge and lift. This provides activity and a sense of animation for very little cost.

In the context of the national parks, many guests arrive in the destination by tour bus and may not have their own transportation, and/or, feel more comfortable with shuttle access. Lake Louise addresses there barriers by making it easy to access their summer operation with a free shuttle.

At Sunshine Village, the old Standish Chair carriers have been put to good use to form seating in mobile gazebos. The carriers have been fabricated to be free standing benches. They are arranged on a covered platform on wheels. This provides a cover for guests waiting for a shuttle for example. The mobility allows the decks can be placed where most needed based on the event.

To restrict vehicle access to its mountain road, Sunshine has installed a key pad and automatic gate. This is a convenient solution for high volume restricted areas.